A Window of Opportunity is the time when an opportunity is available for a short time, then the window closes and it is no longer obtainable. These windows may exist on an annual basis or they may only happen maybe once or twice in a life time. The questions that arise are thus: Do you know if you are in a window of opportunity to do something in your life at this moment? Do you know when windows around you will open or close? Do you know if that window will happen again? Am I staying informed about the windows that may exist around me?
In hiking; weather and trail construction are a major cause for the Windows of Opportunity that may exist around us. This is especially true for those who want to hike or drive to the top of 14’ers (mountain peaks above 14,000 feet) in Colorado. Recently my daughter was out visiting and decided in September to drive to the top of Mt. Evans, only to find the road above 12,000 feet was only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Then there is the snow, as many peaks start to be covered with snow in late September. My plans this year to hike the Grand Canyon Rim 2 Rim got delayed to late October and then we found the entrance to the North Rim may not be open after October 15th, so the trip is now being delayed until next year. Locally the iconic Manitou Incline closed for repairs August 19 till mid-December. Yet there were many hikers showing up in late August, not having any idea it was closed. They didn’t know that window had closed.
In our personal life, I think of Windows of Opportunities that exist with people or events. We often brush them off, thinking there will always be another time. This is especially true with words and healing that need to take place with those around us. How often have we thought; I’ll talk to them next time I see them and make things right. Only to realize that was the last time we ever see them alive. We often discount the words we speak, until we realize it’s the last words someone may ever hear from us. Or the relationship may get hurt so bad, they never speak to us again. I have three children still at home and I often take the time with them for granted. Yet; day by day, year by year, my window of opportunity to impact their lives is ever closing.
With events in our personal life, I think of the recent Total Eclipse that took place across America. A once in a life time Window of Opportunity event that I took as not being that significant, rationalizing that I’ll still see a 90% eclipse from my house. Only to realize that there is a huge difference between 90% and 100%; and that we should have driven the 300 miles to see it.
In our work life there are a number of Windows of Opportunities that come and go. The problem is that we don’t see them as opportunities. I have been laid off for almost four months now, am totally engaged in finding a new job, and am not looking at the other opportunities that may exist during this window of being laid off. Should I be taking the family on a road trip see a new part of the country? Should I be dedicating time for new training such as the PMP or other Certifications? Should I be taking a part-time job to see if there is another career field I should explore? All hard questions I need to be asking and answering…
What are the Windows of Opportunity that are existing in your life right now? Do you know when they are going to close? What are going to do today to begin to seize the openings in those windows and take advantage of them? And what are the Windows of Opportunity that are going to be opening for you in the next 3, 6, and 12 months? Will you be prepared to take advantage of them?
Al Andersen 